Astonishing levels of government corruption

Discussions about serious topics, for serious people
User avatar
Rich Scopie
Snowbonk
Posts: 536
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:21 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by Rich Scopie » Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:15 am

Woodchopper wrote:
Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:59 pm
plodder wrote:
Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:46 pm
over £1bn (!) of PPE contracts have been issued to firms associated with an evangelical group, the Plymouth Brethren:

https://twitter.com/allthecitizens/stat ... 1709222913
And so what. Its only a story if people associated with the Plymouth Brethren have been given special favours.

I know someone who works for a Plymouth Brethren company, and they do, in fact, make PPE and other work related clothing lines (hi-vis etc). So they at least know what they're doing. I do get to hear a lot of weird stuff about them - but that's down to their particular beliefs, and not work related. :-)
It first was a rumour dismissed as a lie, but then came the evidence none could deny:
a double page spread in the Sunday Express — the Russians are running the DHSS!

FlammableFlower
Dorkwood
Posts: 1508
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:22 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by FlammableFlower » Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:15 am

plodder wrote:
Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:43 am
More incredible b.llsh.t:

https://www.politicshome.com/news/artic ... oronavirus
That is incredible levels of b.llsh.t. I've got students on placement at an actual pharma company that does proper CBD research - this bunch are just dicking about... (edited to remove the vaping bit - it appears they do creams too)...

User avatar
discovolante
Stummy Beige
Posts: 4084
Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2019 5:10 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by discovolante » Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:36 am

FlammableFlower wrote:
Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:15 am
plodder wrote:
Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:43 am
More incredible b.llsh.t:

https://www.politicshome.com/news/artic ... oronavirus
That is incredible levels of b.llsh.t. I've got students on placement at an actual pharma company that does proper CBD research - this bunch are just dicking about... (edited to remove the vaping bit - it appears they do creams too)...
How do you actually get CBD for clinical research?
To defy the laws of tradition is a crusade only of the brave.

User avatar
Woodchopper
Princess POW
Posts: 7057
Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2019 9:05 am

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by Woodchopper » Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 am

Rich Scopie wrote:
Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:15 am
Woodchopper wrote:
Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:59 pm
plodder wrote:
Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:46 pm
over £1bn (!) of PPE contracts have been issued to firms associated with an evangelical group, the Plymouth Brethren:

https://twitter.com/allthecitizens/stat ... 1709222913
And so what. Its only a story if people associated with the Plymouth Brethren have been given special favours.

I know someone who works for a Plymouth Brethren company, and they do, in fact, make PPE and other work related clothing lines (hi-vis etc). So they at least know what they're doing. I do get to hear a lot of weird stuff about them - but that's down to their particular beliefs, and not work related. :-)
If they were already making PPE before the pandemic then they just got lucky. I expect that every UK company in the sector will have received massive contracts.

plodder
Stummy Beige
Posts: 2981
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:50 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by plodder » Thu Nov 19, 2020 10:04 am

The NAO have already criticised the gov for procuring via political contacts. The Good Law project are taking the gov to court in order to get the details. Many of the contracts have not been published even though they were issued months ago and there is a growing sense that the emergency procurement exercise was skewed heavily in favour of friends, relatives and contacts of ministers and donors.

User avatar
shpalman
Princess POW
Posts: 8241
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:53 pm
Location: One step beyond
Contact:

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by shpalman » Thu Nov 19, 2020 10:06 am

having that swing is a necessary but not sufficient condition for it meaning a thing
@shpalman@mastodon.me.uk

User avatar
headshot
Dorkwood
Posts: 1414
Joined: Tue Nov 12, 2019 9:40 am

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by headshot » Thu Nov 19, 2020 10:13 am

In totally unrelated news.
Coronavirus PPE: all 400,000 gowns flown from Turkey for NHS fail UK standards

FlammableFlower
Dorkwood
Posts: 1508
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:22 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by FlammableFlower » Thu Nov 19, 2020 2:28 pm

discovolante wrote:
Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:36 am
FlammableFlower wrote:
Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:15 am
plodder wrote:
Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:43 am
More incredible b.llsh.t:

https://www.politicshome.com/news/artic ... oronavirus
That is incredible levels of b.llsh.t. I've got students on placement at an actual pharma company that does proper CBD research - this bunch are just dicking about... (edited to remove the vaping bit - it appears they do creams too)...
How do you actually get CBD for clinical research?
For starters you need a licence from the gov.

User avatar
veravista
Catbabel
Posts: 692
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 7:29 pm
Location: Directly above the centre of the earth

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by veravista » Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:27 am

Yes, so you could approach British Sugar who grow cannabis commercially. Their MD is (was) Paul Kenward, married to Victoria Atkins MP.

User avatar
TAFKAsoveda
Clardic Fug
Posts: 173
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 7:15 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by TAFKAsoveda » Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:34 am

Are all these “companies” just drop shipping PPE from AliExpress? That’s what it looks like the business model is.

User avatar
jimbob
Light of Blast
Posts: 5276
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 4:04 pm
Location: High Peak/Manchester

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by jimbob » Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:45 am

TAFKAsoveda wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:34 am
Are all these “companies” just drop shipping PPE from AliExpress? That’s what it looks like the business model is.
It's probably Wish
Have you considered stupidity as an explanation

monkey
After Pie
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2019 5:10 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by monkey » Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:42 pm

TAFKAsoveda wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:34 am
Are all these “companies” just drop shipping PPE from AliExpress? That’s what it looks like the business model is.
Pretty much. It's why things like this happen:

https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve ... ave-labour

User avatar
Rich Scopie
Snowbonk
Posts: 536
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:21 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by Rich Scopie » Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:17 pm

Not sure where to put this - didn't think it deserved its own thread - but here seems as appropriate as anywhere.

School bully backs up other school bully, bullying bully enquiry head out of a job.
You couldn't make this sh.t up.
It first was a rumour dismissed as a lie, but then came the evidence none could deny:
a double page spread in the Sunday Express — the Russians are running the DHSS!

FlammableFlower
Dorkwood
Posts: 1508
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:22 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by FlammableFlower » Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:04 pm

We really are back to the early nineties levels of Tory sleaze, incompetence and nastiness, aren't we?

nezumi
Dorkwood
Posts: 1164
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:43 pm
Location: UK

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by nezumi » Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:53 pm

FlammableFlower wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:04 pm
We really are back to the early nineties levels of Tory sleaze, incompetence and nastiness, aren't we?
Understatement of the year. This is far worse than anything I can remember, but then, I only became politically aware during the Major years.
Non fui. Fui. Non sum. Non curo.

bagpuss
After Pie
Posts: 1695
Joined: Tue Nov 12, 2019 12:10 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by bagpuss » Fri Nov 20, 2020 5:16 pm

nezumi wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:53 pm
FlammableFlower wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:04 pm
We really are back to the early nineties levels of Tory sleaze, incompetence and nastiness, aren't we?
Understatement of the year. This is far worse than anything I can remember, but then, I only became politically aware during the Major years.
Yes, maybe my memories are tinged with some kind of nostalgia, or I've just forgotten a heck of a lot (really very likely), but whereas I do remember sleazy behaviour, my memory is also that when it was discovered, people mostly resigned or were kicked out (frequently with the PM "standing by" them right up to just before the point where they went, usually within the week).

nezumi
Dorkwood
Posts: 1164
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:43 pm
Location: UK

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by nezumi » Fri Nov 20, 2020 5:41 pm

bagpuss wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 5:16 pm
nezumi wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:53 pm
FlammableFlower wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 4:04 pm
We really are back to the early nineties levels of Tory sleaze, incompetence and nastiness, aren't we?
Understatement of the year. This is far worse than anything I can remember, but then, I only became politically aware during the Major years.
Yes, maybe my memories are tinged with some kind of nostalgia, or I've just forgotten a heck of a lot (really very likely), but whereas I do remember sleazy behaviour, my memory is also that when it was discovered, people mostly resigned or were kicked out (frequently with the PM "standing by" them right up to just before the point where they went, usually within the week).
That's what I recall too, I don't know what's more galling: The fact it's happening, the fact the perpetrators face no consequences, or the fact that there's so little outrage.
Non fui. Fui. Non sum. Non curo.

User avatar
Trinucleus
Catbabel
Posts: 985
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 6:45 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by Trinucleus » Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:01 am

Rich Scopie wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:17 pm
Not sure where to put this - didn't think it deserved its own thread - but here seems as appropriate as anywhere.

School bully backs up other school bully, bullying bully enquiry head out of a job.
You couldn't make this sh.t up.
Classic political speak:

"Did you pressure Sir Alex to change his conclusions Prime Minister?"

"His conclusions are all his own"

Translation: "yes I did, but he wouldn't budge"

User avatar
dyqik
Princess POW
Posts: 7527
Joined: Wed Sep 25, 2019 4:19 pm
Location: Masshole
Contact:

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by dyqik » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:29 am

Trinucleus wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:01 am
Rich Scopie wrote:
Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:17 pm
Not sure where to put this - didn't think it deserved its own thread - but here seems as appropriate as anywhere.

School bully backs up other school bully, bullying bully enquiry head out of a job.
You couldn't make this sh.t up.
Classic political speak:

"Did you pressure Sir Alex to change his conclusions Prime Minister?"

"His conclusions are all his own"

Translation: "yes I did, but he wouldn't budge"
To which the response is:
"Did you threaten to overrule him?"

User avatar
Trinucleus
Catbabel
Posts: 985
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 6:45 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by Trinucleus » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:53 am

And to save time Boris would just say no

User avatar
snoozeofreason
Snowbonk
Posts: 485
Joined: Fri Nov 15, 2019 1:22 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by snoozeofreason » Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:16 pm

Apparently Johnson wanted the Patel report to be "palatable". But it's pretty typical to stipulate that putative Priti Patel position papers be palatable.
In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. The human body was knocked up pretty late on the Friday afternoon, with a deadline looming. How well do you expect it to work?

User avatar
JQH
After Pie
Posts: 2141
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 3:30 pm
Location: Sar Flandan

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by JQH » Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:12 pm

As Home Secretary Priti Patel will be in charge of the security services.


I can't help thinking she has something really juicy on Johnson.
And remember that if you botch the exit, the carnival of reaction may be coming to a town near you.

Fintan O'Toole

plodder
Stummy Beige
Posts: 2981
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:50 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by plodder » Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:06 pm

The Good Law Project have published their papers:

https://goodlawproject.org/update/the-ppe-fiasco/

User avatar
bjn
Stummy Beige
Posts: 2915
Joined: Wed Sep 25, 2019 4:58 pm
Location: London

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by bjn » Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:45 pm

plodder wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:06 pm
The Good Law Project have published their papers:

https://goodlawproject.org/update/the-ppe-fiasco/
Tx. Money donated.

plodder
Stummy Beige
Posts: 2981
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:50 pm

Re: Astonishing levels of government corruption

Post by plodder » Thu Nov 26, 2020 7:33 am

The landlord of Matt Hancock’s local pub has won a large contract supplying testing equipment:

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... ssion=true

Post Reply